Washoe Tribe plans to expand offerings at casino with new compact

Wednesday, February 21, 2018

The Washoe Tribe plans to expand the offerings at its unique casino after amending its Class III gaming compact with the state of Nevada.

The Wa She Shu Casino currently features just slot machines as part of an agreement negotiated more than a decade ago. The updated deal authorizes the tribe to offer all types of games that are legal in Nevada, including card games, table games and even sports betting.

"I appreciate the governor's efforts to negotiate this compact with the Washoe Tribe as a sovereign government," Chairman Neil Mortimer said in a press release, referring to Governor Brian Sandoval (R), who has enjoyed mostly positive with tribes in the state.

"We think this will prove to be an extremely valuable agreement that reflects modern practices in gaming and will benefit both the Washoe community and the state of Nevada," Mortimer continued.

"We are excited that we can now offer our customers all forms of gaming including table games and a sports book in the future at the Wa She Shu Casino," added Amy Wasilewski, the general manager of the facility.

Wa She Shu is unique in that it is managed by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. The two tribes worked together to open the facility as well as a travel plaza on Washoe land near Garnerville.

The 13,500 square-foot facility features a 4,600 square-foot gaming floor with 130 electronic gaming machines. A bar and restaurant seats 80 guests. There's also room for a potential expansion.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs published a notice of the approved compact in the Federal Register on January 17. The notice was signed by John Tahsuda, who is serving as the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs at the agency.

"The First Amended Compact allows the tribe to operate all forms of Class III gaming within its Indian lands that may be lawfully operated in the state," the notice reads. "The First Amended Compact between the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California and the State of Nevada is approved."

Federal Register Notice:
Indian Gaming; Approval of an Amendment to a Tribal-State Class III Gaming Compact in the State of Nevada (January 18, 2018)